Bowling ball stop mechanism



Jan. 2, 1962 H. A. JONES ET AL BOWLING BALL STOP MECHANISM N o \w 1 mmmmY t T H N m R h E O m W Q 5 L s -ODN A t REA e ART 8 HF h s 2 8 5 9 l 8l e n H J d e 1 1 F Jan. 2, 1962 H. A. JONES ET AL BOWLING BALL STOPMECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 18, 1958 INVENTOR HAROLD Av JONESFRED J. SCHMIDT BY STANLEY E. GONDON W {Wu ATTORNEY United States Patent()1 3,015,489 BOWLING BALL STOP MECHANISM Harold A. Jones, Shelby,(lino, Fred J. Schmidt, Stamford, (Bonn, and Stanley E. Contlon,Plymouth, Ohio,

assignors to American Machine 8: Foundry Company,

a corporation of New sersey Fiied June 13, 1958, Ser. No. 742,908 23Ciaims. ((31. 273-47} art because generally in all conventional types ofball checks known to applicants and now on the market, exit velocityincreases with the weight of the ball.

As used herein, exit velocity means the velocity of a ball at the timeit is delivered by or from the ball stop or retarding device onto theinfeed track portion of a bowling ball return, or the velocity of a ballat the time it is delivered by or from the ball check or retardingdevice directly into the ball storage rack at the end of the bowlingball return.

In bowling alley installations with known types of ball checks orbowling ball retarding devices, the kinetic energy of rotation andtranslation stored in a freely rolling ball is dissipated againstgravity forces in completely elevating the ball to clear the uppermostpoint on the riser or upsweep section of the bowling ball return runwayen route to the storage rack. It will be evident that with devices ofthese types, there are occasions when a ball does not have suflicientmomentum to insure that it will be delivered along the riser or upsweepsection into storage because of insuflicient kinetic energy being storedin the ball to insure such transit of the upsweep section. In bowlingalleys provided with bowling ball return runways which are locatedbeneath the alleys or separating members between two adjacent alleys,failure of a ball to roll up and off the upsweep section causes aserious problem, since if the ball rolls downwardly and comes to restbeneath the alley or the separating members between two adjacent alleys,considerable time must be used in removing boards and reaching down inorder to lift the ball manually and carry it back to the storage rack.

The present invention completely eliminates the problem above mentionedbecause due to the positively operated ball engaging and rolling memberwhich forms a part of the invention, each ball rolling along the upsweepsection is positively and firmly, yet resiliently gripped by the movingsurface of a traveling member and propelled thereby upwardly to thepoint of discharge from the riser or upsweep section. Thus at no timecan a ball roll downwardly once it has reached a point where it isengaged by the traveling ball propelling member. A ball stop mechanismconstructed in accordance with the invention does not require anyresetting in order to ready it for use, and therefore eliminates thechance of collision of a first delivered ball by a succeeding ball.

In addition to the above, the traveling member, constructed inaccordance with the invention, operates to roll or propel a ballupwardly through a transfer passage. Its action on each ball upon whichit operates converts the forward angular velocity of a ball when firstengaged thereby to zero velocity; it next imparts a different directionof rotation to each ball, and as each ball is delivered from the passageby the rotary member, it again passes through zero velocity so that whendelivered into storage, or onto an infeed track leading to storage, theball is moving slowly with practically no velocity as it gravitatesdownwardly on slightly inclined tracks into the storage rack where itcomes to rest in a markedly improved manner and wherein all damage toballs from impact by one on another and accidents to players hands aresubstantially eliminated.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel ball check or ballretarding device for use with a bowling alley ball return and a novelmethod of checking the movement of balls wherein each ball isresiliently, yet firmly, gripped by a rotating ball engaging anddisplacing member, and delivered into a storage rack.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel ball returncheck or stop having a slowly moving endless traveling member providedwith a resilient peripheral surface located between the upsweep sectionand the infeed section of a bowling ball return runway, and wherein themember co-operates with a spaced guiding device to deliver a ball to thestorage rack of the bowling ball return runway in a greatly improvedmanner regardless of the weight of bowling balls handled thereby.

The invention is further characterized by a bowling ball return check orretarding device comprising a slowly moving member having a resilientperipheral surface operative to engage bowling balls as they roll alongthe upsweep section of a bowling ball return runway, and wherein eachball engaged by the member is brought to zero angular velocity and thenrolled by the member beneath ball guiding and holding means to a pointof delivery onto the infeed track section of the ball return runway,whence the ball may roll slowly to a position of rest.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of a novelmethod of retarding bowling ball movement and a novel ball retardingmechainsm for use with a bowling ball return runway wherein a rotaryresiliently tired member coacting with a snubbing and guiding devicespaced therefrom, effectively controls the vel F bowling balls ofvarying weights rolling along the ing ball return runway so that eachbowling ball delivered by the mechanism arrives in the bowling ballstorage rack of a bowling ball return with minimum velocity.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of a novel ballstop or retarding device operative in connection with a bowling ballreturn runway having an armate upsweep section and a section leadinginto a storage device wherein a slowly traveling member having a ballengaging surface lifts a rolling ball off the upsweep section of theball return runway track and presses the lifted ball against a snubbingsurface and wherein because of the frictional coaction between the twosurfaces, and the direction of movement of the traveling member, theangular and linear velocity of the ball is reduced to zero, and the ballis moved by the surface and delivered ontothe infeed track of the ballreturn track for subsequent movement into the storage rack.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel ball check orball stop for use with a bowling alley ball return and a novel methodfor checking the movement of balls rolling along the ball return,wherein each ball is resiliently, yet firmly, gripped by a slowly movingball engaging and displacing member moving at a speed equal to a smallfraction of the velocity of the bail it engages in order to check themomentum of such ball for delivery at a slow rate of speed into a ballstorage rack.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel ball stop orretarding device which because of its construction and operation is freefrom any parts or operating elements in the path of travel of orengageable by a ball which could damage it as by scratching or chipping,as it moves to a position of rest.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel ball stop orretarding device which because of its construction is compact, easy toinstall and service, and does not interfere with the movements ofbowlers or constitute a hazard to them when playing the game.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain combinations and constructions which willbe hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claimshereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or likeparts:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional side elevation of a preferred form of a bowlingball check and retarding device.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional side elevation of a modification of a bowlingball check and retarding device embodying the invention.

FIGURE 4 is an end elevation taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional end elevation taken on line 55 of FIGURE3 illustrating a detail of the ball guide rail arrangement.

The bowling ball stop mechanism or retarding device made in accordancewith the invention can be used on any type of bowling alley ball returnas long as it can be mounted such that the ball engaging surface of aslowly moving ball engaging and speed checking and propelling member islocated in the path of travel of balls rolling towards the ball deliveryor infeed section or into the storage rack portion of the ball returnrunway on which it is installed. Because of the problems referred tohereinabove, it will be evident that the bowling ball stop mechanism ofthe present invention is especially well adapted for use with bowlingalley ball return runways wherein the latter extend from a pointadjacent the pit of a bowling alley or between the pits of two adjacentbowling alleys beneath and parallel with the bowling alleys r beneaththe separators between adjacent bowling alleys to the head ends of suchalleys. Such ball returns, therefore, are invisible and balls rollingtherealong cannot be seen until they emerge from the upsweep sectionthereof adjacent the approach or head ends of the alleys served by thereturn as they roll to a position of rest or into a storage rack.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURES 1 and 2 disclose a preferredembodiment of the invention in which the ball stop mechanism orretarding device is designated generally 10. It is shown mounted foroperation at the approach or players end 12 of two side by side bowlingalleys A and B (FIGURE 2). If desired, the ball stop mechanism could beused with a single alley.

In the construction shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, bowling alleys A and B areprovided with a common ball return runway 14 which extends in parallelrelationship therewith beneath and between the alleys as shown in FIGURE2. Runway 14 is provided with an arcuate riser or upsweep section 16extending upwardly through opening 18 in the approach between the twoalleys A and B.

Ball return runway 14 comprises two spaced rods 20 so positioned as toallow bowling balls to roll therealong from a point adjacent the pit(not shown) to a point of delivery at the end of the upsweep section 16for placement on infeed track portion 30 which may form a part thatballs placed thereon may gravitate and roll therealong to a final restposition in rack S. Ball runway 14, upsweep section 16 and infeed trackportion 30 are supported by cross bars 22 (only one is shown), suitablymounted between alleys A and B and on cross bars 23 and 32 fastened toside frames 24 of ball stop mechanism 10. Side frames 24 are secured inupright spaced relationship (FIGURE 2) on a support board 26 secured inthe space between the approaches of alleys A and B.

As viewed in FIGURE 1, the upper free ends of spaced rods 17 which formupsweep section 16, preferably are located at substantially the nineoclock position relative to the moving ball stopping and handlingmember, described more in detail hereinafter. The ends of rods 17 may beextended to a higher operative position, if desired, or may form anintegral part with track portions 30. Located at the twelve oclockposition are the infeed ends of the spaced rods 31 which form infeedtrack portion 39 of ball return runway 14. It will be understood thatballs are placed either manually or by suitable automatic means (notshown) on the portion of ball return runway 14 adjacent the pit (notshown) from which they are propelled by either mechanical or gravitymeans (not shown) along the extent of runway 14 en route to ball stopmechanism 10.

Mounted in the gap between the upper free ends of the spaced rods 17 ofupsweep section 16 and the free infeed ends of spaced rods 31 is a ballengaging and handling member, such as a wheel designated generally 28.Member 28 comprises a small conventional metal disk 34 having acircumferential tire supporting flange on which is mounted a rubber tire36 providing, with snubbing device 40, a resilient coupling forgripping, stopping and rolling balls 5 coming under its influence andtraveling upwardly from upsweep section 16 to infeed track section 30.Tire 36 can be inflated if desired. It functions equally well, however,if the air pressure therein is zero. If desired, other suitableresilient surfaces could be mounted on member 28. The main point is toprovide a resilient yet firm gripping or holding action for balls fed bymember 28 through the passageway formed by the snubbing devicedesignated generally 40 and resilient surface 36 on member 28. Disk 34is keyed to shaft 42 rotatably supported in suitable bearings carried byframes 24. Collars 44 secured to shaft 42 maintain member 28 in propercentered operating position on shaft 42. Shaft 42 is connected by acoupling 46 to the shaft of a suitable conventional type of speedreducer 48 mounted on a bracket 50 suitably attached to one of the sideframes 24 (see FIG- URE 2). Speed reducer 48 is provided with a shaft 52to which is attached a pulley 54 on which runs a suitable driving belt56 tracking pulley 58 attached to shaft 60 of motor 62 supported by thesame side frame 24 which mounts bracket 50. The driving relationshipbetween motor shaft 60 and shaft 42 is such that shaft 42 is driven at aslow rate of speed. We have found that a speed of about 70 rpm. gives asatisfactory result. Obviously it can be higher or lower if desired. Forexample, the magnitude of ball exit velocity or the velocity of exit ofa ball delivered by member 28 onto infeed track portion 30 can bechanged simply, as by altering the speed reduction be tween the drivemotor and wheel. This can be done by any suitable adjustable type ofpulley system, such for example as a Reeves drive. Also the speed can bechanged by merely changing pulley sizes and belt lengths. In short, theexit velocity desired is that which will insure that each ball deliveredonto track section 30 will slowly reverse its direction of rotation androll down track 30 at a slow rate of speed into the storage rack Sproper. For this reason, infeed track portion 30 is inclined slightlydownwardly to the right, as viewed in FIGURE 1.

Device 40, referred to hereinabove, is located above and to the left ofmember 28, as viewed in FIGURE 1. This device comprises a belt 64 whosewidth is slightly greater than the width of tire 36. One end of belt 64is provided with a loop encircling a sleeve 68 supported on shaft 70,the ends of which shaft are mounted in the free ends of lever 72pivotally supported on pins 74 in side frames 24. Belt 64 runs upon asleeve 76 rotatably mounted on shaft 78, the free ends of which aresuitably fixed in side frames 24. The other end of belt 64 is con nectedat 79 to one end of spring 80, the other end of which is connected toshaft 74. Stop brackets 82 mounted on the inner faces of and adjacentthe upper ends of side frames 24 limit the downward movement of lever 72to the full line position shown in FIGURE 1.

The operation of ball stop mechanism or retarding device 10 is asfollows:

When a ball reaches position I in FIGURE 1, it is rolling withconsiderable momentum resulting from the force by which it was deliveredfrom the pit of either bowling alley A or B, and also the weight of theball itself. As ball 5 rolls from position I to position II, itsmomentum is diminished somewhat because of the upward travel to positionII. However, at position II, the angular and linear velocity of the ballis almost immediately diminished to zero as the result of its coming incontact with the peripehry of resilient surface 36 of member 28 andsnubbing belt 64 because the space between resilient surface 36 and belt64 is less than the diameter of a bowling ball. Thus as a ball advancesthrough the passage formed by surface 36 and belt 64, its direction ofrotation is reversed. As the result of the continued movement of member28 and the pressure exerted thereby against ball 5, it is rolled to thebroken line position III shown in FIG- URE l. The conjoint outwardradial force of tire 30 which in effect lifts the ball radiallyoutwardly off track 17, and the resilient frictional pressure of belt64, holds the ball firmly, yet resiliently, against slippage. As ball 5is moved upwardly, levers 72 move upwardly away from stops 8,2 to thebroken line position shown in FIGURE 1. Due to the movement of member 28and its coaction with belt 64, as described, the angular velocity ofball 5 in moving from position II to that of position III, is changedfrom zero to an angular velocity somewhat greater than that of member 28since the diameter of a ball, as shown in FIGURE 1, is less than that ofmember 28, at which time the ball is given a new direction of rotationas illustrated by the broken arrow at position III opposed to itsoriginal direction of rotation. In other words, as a ball is moved bythe frictional pressure of surface 36 of member 28 beneath resilientlymounted snubbing belt 40, to position IV directly above-shaft 42, itrolls in a counterclockwise direction, -as viewed in FIGURE 1. Atposition IV, the ball, freed from contact with tire 3.6, rests uponspaced rails 31 of infeed track portion 30, which because of theirdownward inclination, support ball 5 in such manner that ball 5 reversesits direction of rotation through zero velocity at position IV and rollsin a clockwise direction as shown at position V along track portion 30and into storage rack S.

The width of belt 64 preferably is such that it will tend to drapeitself about a ball 5 during the .travel of the latter through thefourth quadrant of wheel 28, or the ,active length of surface 36extending into the space between the upper free ends of rods 17 and thefree ends of rods 31 of infeed track portion 36. Althoughcircumferential peripheral grooves 38 may assist in maintaining a ballproperly disposed for handling by member 28, nevertheless, in view ofthe coaction between belt 64 and resilient surface 36, any desired treadpattern may be used.

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a modified formof the invention in whichthe ball stop mechanism or ball retarding device is designated generally110. This mechanism comprises a pair of spaced side frames 24 suitablymounted on a support board 26 located between two side by side bowlingalleys A and B. Rotatably mounted between side frames 24 on shaft 42 isa handling member, such as wheel 28 having a resilient ball engagingsurface 6 such as tire 36, as in the case of the mechanism shown inFIGURES l and 2. Bowling balls delivered from the pits (not shown) ofbowling alleys A and B roll along a common return runway 114 locatedbeneath the separating members (not shown) between bowling alleys A andB. The approach end of alleys A and B is provided with an opening 18through which the upsweep section 116 of bowling ball return runway 114extends. As in the case of bowling ball return runway track 14,described hereinabove, runway 114 is composed of two spaced rods 117which terminate in upswe ep section 116 adjacent member 28. Track 114 ismounted on cross bars 22 suitably secured in the space between bowlingalleys A and B. Upsweep section rods 117 are supported 'by a cross bar123 suitably secured to board 26, and a cross bar 125 attached at itsends to side frames 24. The upper free ends of spaced rods 117 ofupsweep section 116 extend to a suitable position, such as approximatelythe ten oclock position with respect to member 28, or if desired, theycould form an integral extension with rods 131 of track section 136.Member 28 is located in the gap between the free ends of the rods 117and the free ends of the spaced rods 131 of infeed track onto which aball is delivered by mechanism 10 for movement into a suitable storagerack (not shown) connected to slightly downwardly inclined track section130. The rods 131 comprising track section 130 are supported by bar 132,the ends of which are attached to side frames 24. The free ends of rods131 of track section 130 lie in a position designated IV approximatelydirectly above the center of shaft 42 to which wheel 28 is attached.Shaft 42 is driven at a relatively low rate of speed by a drivemechanism designated generally Dot the same construction as thatdisclosed in FIGURES l and 2, described hereinabove.

As shown particularly in FIGURE 3, located above and spaced from theperiphery of surface 36 of member 28 is a ball snubbing and holdingdevice designated generally 146. This device in the illustratedembodiment comprises two spaced rods 137 and 139 covered by a resilientmaterial 141, preferably formed of an elastomer, such as rubber. Theends of rods 137 and 139 are secured to brackets 166 and 178,respectively suitably connected at their ends to the inner faces of Sideframes 24. Rods 137 and 139 are arcuate in shape and form a part of acon centric circle spaced from the periphery of surface 36 a distanceless than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, such that whenever abowling ball rolling up upsweep track section 116 comes under theinfluence of surface 36, which moves in a clockwise manner as viewed inFIGURE 3, it is in elfect resiliently wedged ,between moving surface 36and rods 137 and 139. In this manner rods 137 ,and 139 and member 28maintain a resilient frictional engagement upon a ball as it is rolledby member 28 onto rails 131 at position IV.

The operation of ball stop mechanism 110 disclosed in FIGURES 3, ,4 and5, is essentially the same .as that described hereinaibove in FIGURES 1and 2, and hence further detailed descriptionis considered unnecessary.

It will beseen that we have provided a simple and .extremely effective:ballstop mechanism or retarding device .which is capableof handlingballs .of vall weights and in suring that they will be delivered into aball storage rack in a markedly improved manner and with a minimum ofdamage to balls due .to one ball banging against another.

What we claim is:

1. The method of retarding thespeed of a rolling bowling ball anddelivering-it slowly to a position of rest comprising positivelyen-gaging and holding a rapidly rolling bowling ball and substantiallyimmediately bringing its forward travel to a standstill and reversingits direction of rotation, and whileholding said ball moving said ballwith said reverse direction of rotation to a point of delivery onto asurface directing it to said position of rest,

releasing said ball at said point of delivery, and causing 3 said 'ballto again reverse its direction of rotation and roll slowly to saidposition of rest.

2. The method of stopping a rolling bowling ball and then delivering itslowly to a position of rest comprising positively engaging and holdinga rapidly rolling bowling ball moving along a forward path of travel andreducing its velocity to zero, reversing the direction of rotation ofsaid ball and moving said ball in the same path of travel with saidreverse direction of rotation at a substantially reduced angular andlinear velocity to a point of delivery onto a surface for delivery tosaid position of rest, releasing said ball at said point of delivery,causing the direction of rotation of said ball to be reversed, andcausing said ball to move slowly to said position of rest.

3. The method of checking a bowling ball and delivering it to a positionof rest comprising engaging substantially opposite spaced points on thesurface of a rapidly rolling bowling ball between a moving surface and arelatively fixed surface and snubbing its forward travel momentarily toa state of immovability, reversing the dircction of rotation of saidball and moving said ball with said reverse direction of rotation to apoint of delivery onto a downwardly inclined surface for supporting saidball and directing said ball to a position of rest, releasing said ballat said point of delivery, and causing said ball to again reverse itsdirection of rotation and move at a slow rate of speed along saiddownwardly inclined surface to said position of rest.

4. The method of controlling the forward movement of a rolling bowlingball traveling along a ball return runway comprising changing the pathof movement of said ball from a substantially horizontal path of travelto an upward-1y inclined path of travel, positively and resilientlyengaging said rolling ball adjacent the end of said upwardly inclinedpath of travel between a first surface and a traveling surface spacedtherefrom to Snub the movement of said ball and convert its movementmomentarily to substantially a state of immovability, causing saidmoving surface to reverse the direction of rotation of said ball anddeliver it beneath said first surface and in the same path of travel toa point of discharge therefrom, the operation of said moving surfacerelative to said first surface being such as to cause said ball to rollwith its reverse direction of rotation along said same path of travel tosaid point of discharge at a speed substantially that of the movingsurface, and causing said ball at said point of discharge to reverse itsdirection of rotation and move slowly to a position of rest.

5. The method of checking the forward movement of a rolling bowling balltraveling along a bowling ball return runway and delivering it slowly toa position of rest comprising changing -the path of movement of saidball from a substantially horizontal path of travel to an upwardlyinclined path of travel, resiliently and friotionally engaging saidrolling ball adjacent the end of said upwardly inclined path of travelbetween a relatively fixed resilient surface and a traveling surfacespaced therefrom a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowlingball, whereby to snub the movement of said ball and convert its angularand linear velocity to zero, causing said moving surface in cooperationwith said relatively fixed surface to reverse the direction of rotationof said ball and deliver it to a point of discharge, the operation ofsaid spaced surfaces being such as to cause said ball to roll to saidpoint of discharge at a speed substantially equal to that of the movingsurface, and causing said ball at said point of discharge to reverse itsdirection of rotation and roll slowly to said position of rest.

6. The method of controlling the forward movement of a rolling bowlingball traveling along a ball return runway to a position of restcomprising engaging said rolling ball adjacent said position of restbetween a fixed arcuate surface and a traveling rotating surface spacedtherefrom to snub the movement of said ball and momentarily halt anysubstantial forward movement of said ball, causing said rotating surfaceto reverse the direction of rotation of said ball and deliver it beneathsaid fixed surface to a point of discharge therefrom, the operation ofsaid fixed arcuate and rotating surfaces being such as to cause saidball to roll with its reverse direction of rotation to said point ofdischarge at a speed substantially that of the rotating surface, andcausing said ball at said point of discharge to reverse its direction ofrotation and move slowly to a position of rest.

7. A bowling ball stop mechanism for a bowling alley comprising a balltrack extending from a ball receiving position adjacent the pit of abowling alley to a ball rest position adjacent the approach end of saidalley, a ball storage rack located at said rest position, on upwardly inclined upsweep track portion forming a part of said track and operativeto deliver a ball rolling therealong in a forward direction only to saidstorage rack, a traveling ball engaging and displacing member located inthe path of travel of a ball rolling upwardly along said upsweep trackportion, means coacting with said member to maintain said ball inengagement with said member, means for driving said member at a speedsubstantially lower than that of said ball rolling into engagement withsaid member and in a direction such as to reverse the direction ofrotation of a ball engaged thereby, whereby balls engaged by said memberare first substantially completely stopped and then rolled toward saidstorage rack at a reduced rate and with a direction of rotation oppositeto that with which balls approach said member, and means constructed anddisposed to receive balls from said member and deliver them at a slowrate of rolling motion to said storage rack.

8. A bowling ball stop mechanism for a bowling alley comprising a balltrack extending from a ball receiving position adjacent the pit of abowling alley to a ball rest position adjacent the approach end of saidalley, a ball storage rack located at said rest position, meansoperative to deliver a ball rolling along said track in a forwarddirection only to said storage rack, a traveling ball engaging memberlocated in the path of travel of a ball along said track, ball holdingmeans spaced from said member a distance less than the maximum diameterof a bowling ball coacting with said member to maintain said ball inengagement with said member while said ball engages said member, meansfor driving said member to effect the substantially complete momentarystoppage of movement of said ball engaged by said member and heldthereon by said holding means, said member being operative in responseto its rotation to then reverse the direction of rotation of said balland move it to a point of discharge, and track means located at saidpoint of discharge for receiving said ball and directing it at a slowrate of movement into said storage rack.

9. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said traveling membercomprises a rotatably mounted wheel having a resilient peripheralsurface, and said means for driving said member being effective torotate said wheel in the same direction in which balls rotate as theyapproach said member.

10. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said means for maintaininga bowling ball in engagement with said wheel includes a belt spaced fromsaid member, and means resiliently supporting at least one end of saidbelt.

11. Mechanism for checking the rolling movement of a bowling ball alonga bowling ball return having an upsweep track section and an infeedtrack section for delivering bowling balls into the storage rack,comprising a ball guiding device mounted above said upsweep section andforming with said return an arcuate passage for the ball, a movingengaging and displacing member located between said upsweep section andsaid infeed section and positioned to engage a ball on route from saidupsweep section to the storage rack, and means for driving said memberin a direction to impart to balls engaged thereby rotational motionopposite to that with which balls approach said member, said memberbeing operative with 9 said device in response to the delivery of a balltherebetween to momentarily stop the movement of said ball, and thendeliver the ball with a slow rolling movement along said device and in aforward direction only to a discharge station, and means mounting saidinfeed track section with its ball receiving end located at saiddischarge station in position to receive a ball from said member.

12. The mechanism defined in claim 11 wherein said guiding devicecomprises spaced elastomeric covered arcuate guide bars.

13. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein said rotating membercomprises a wheel, and wherein said driving means includes means forrotating said member in the same direction of rotation as the originaldirection of rotation of a ball engaged thereby, and a pneumatic tiremounted on said wheel.

14. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein the main portion of saidball return track extends beneath said alley, and said upsweep trackportion extends upwardly therefrom in said approach section, and whereinsaid moving member is moved at a slow rate of speed in comparison to thespeed at which said ball rolls along said track into the space betweensaid device and member.

15. Mechanism for checking the rolling movement of a bowling ball alonga bowling ball return having an upsweep track section, a storage rackand an infeed track section for delivering -bowling balls with a forwarddirection of movement only into said storage rack, comprising a yieldingball guiding and snubbing device mounted above and spaced from saidupsweep section and forming with said upsweep section a passage for saidball on route to said infeed track portion,-a moving ball engagingsurface located between said upsweep section and said infeed section andpositioned to engage a ball en route from said upsweep section to saidstorage rack, and means for driving said surface in a direction suchthat a ball engaged between said device and said moving surface in'rolling up said upsweep section and into said passage is broughtsubstantially to a standstill, said moving i ball engaging device beingoperative in response to its direction of rotation corresponding to theinitial direction of rotation of said ball and the holding action ofsaid device on said ball to reverse the direction of rotation of saidball but deliver said ball onto said infeed track section for deliverythereby in said forward direction of movement into said storage rack,said infeed track being inclined downwardly towards said storage rackand operative to direct said ball with a slow rolling movement to saidrack.

16. The invention defined in claim wherein said device includes a beltspaced from said moving surface a distance less than the maximumdiameter of a bowling ball for holding said ball with a forward movementonly on said surface, and means supporting said belt in operativeposition relative to said surface, said means including resilient meansattached to at least one end of said belt for maintaining said belttensioned for firm yet resilient engagement with a ball being moved bysaid member along said belt.

17. A bowling ball stop mechanism cvomprising in combination a ballreturn runway, said runway including an elongated track section and aninfeed track section connected thereto for delivering a ball with aforward movement only to a position of rest, a traveling member having africtional ball engaging and displacing surface located between saidelongated section and said infeed track section, ball guiding andholding means spaced from said traveling surface a distance less thanthe maximum diameter of a bowling ball, means mounting said travelingsurface to engage and bias a ball engaged thereby against said guide andholding means, and means for moving said traveling surface to effectsuccessively the conversion of rotational movement of a ball in onedirection into a reverse rotational movement in the opposite directionand the delivery of said ball with said reverse 10 rotational movementto a point of discharge onto said infeed track.

18. The invention defined in claim 17 wherein said traveling membercomprises a wheel, and said traveling surface comprises a tire formedfrom elastomer extending about the periphery of said wheel.

19. in a bowling ball return for delivering bowling balls from the pitend of a bowling alley to a storage rack, the combination of track meansincluding a portion along which balls normally roll with a velocity inexcess of that with which it is desirable to deliver balls to thestorage rack; a positively actuated ball-controlling device includingtravelling, ball-engaging means; and means mounting saidball-controlling device with said ball-engaging means disposed tooperatively engage balls as they travel along said portion of said trackmeans, said ball-controlling device comprising power means operativelyconnected to said ball-engaging means to drive the same a direction suchthat a ball rolling along said portion of said track means intoengagement with said ball-engaging means will be caused first to comesubstantially to a stop and then to rotate in a direction opposite tothat in which balls being returned rot-ate as they roll along said trackmeans toward said ball-controlling device, a second portion of saidtrack means being disposed to receive balls from said ball-controllingdevice and allow the balls so received to roll by gravity to the storagerack.

20. Apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said bail-engagingmeans is disposed beneath said track means, said ball-controlling devicefurther comprising additional ball-engaging means spaced above saidfirst-mentioned ball-engaging means by a distance such that bowlingballs travelling said portion of said track means are engaged betweensaid first-mentioned ball-engaging means and said additionalball-engaging means.

21. In a bowling alley installation, the combination of a return runwayhaving an end portion spaced from the pit end of the alley; ball storagemeans including an infeed track having an entrance end disposed at ahigher level than said end portion of said return runway; a ballcontrolling device mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis spacedbelow the entrance end of said infeed track; ball elevating means fortransferring balls from said end of said return runway to said ballcontrolling device, said ball elevating means comprising upwardlycurving track means mounted with its lower end portion adjacent said endof said return runway and its upper end portion adjacent said ballcontrolling device, said ball controlling device having a peripheralball-engaging portion and being so disposed that, as said device isrotated, said peripheral portion travels through an arcuate pathextending between said upper end portion of said track means and theentrance of said infeed track and curving oppositely with respect tosaid upwardly curving track means; ball opposing means spaced from saidball controlling device in such manner that a ball rolled upwardly alongsaid track means is engaged between said peripheral portion of said ballcontrolling device and said opposing means; and drive means operativelyconnected to said ball controlling means to rotate the same in the samedirection as balls rotate when they are rolled upwardly along said trackmeans whereby, upon engagement with said peripheral portion of said ballcontrolling device, a bowling ball is first stopped and then rotated ina direction opposite to that in which it rotated as it was rolledupwardly along said track means, said ball controlling device and saidopposing means then coacting to cause the ball to roll, with suchopposite direction of rotation, to the entrance of said infeed track andto there release the ball for delivery to said storage means via saidinfeed track.

22. In a bowling alley installation, the combination of a return runwayhaving an end portion spaced from the pit end of the alley; ball storagemeans including an infeed track having an entrance end disposed at ahigher level than said end portion of said return runway; first trackmeans having a lower end portion disposed to receive balls from said endportion of said runway, said first track means curving upwardly andhaving an upper end portion adjacent to but spaced below said entranceend of said infeed track; a ball controlling device mounted for rotationabout a horizontal axis spaced below said entrance end of said infeedtrack, said ball controlling device having a peripheral ball-engagingportion and being so disposed that, as said device is rotated, saidperipheral portion travels through an arcuate path which curvesoppositely with respect to said first track means and extends betweenthe upper end portion of said first track means and said entrance end ofsaid infeed track; second track means of at least generally arcuateform, said second track means being spaced radially outwardly from saidarcuate path and curving in the same direction as said path from a pointadjacent the upper end portion of said first track means to a pointadjacent the entrance of said infeed track, the space between saidperipheral portion of said ball controlling device and said second trackmeans being such that a bowling ball rolled upwardly along said firsttrack means is positively engaged between said peripheral portion ofsaid ball controlling device and said second track means; and drivemeans operatively connected to said ball controlling means to rotate thesame in the same direction as balls rotate when they are rolled upwardlyalong said first track means whereby, upon being engaged between saidball controlling device and said second track means, a bowling ball isfirst stopped and then rotated in a direction opposite to that in whichit rotated as it was rolled upwardly along said first track means, saidball controlling device and said second track means then coacting toroll the ball, with such opposite direction of rotation, to saidentrance end of said infeed track and to there release the ball fordelivery to said storage means via said infeed track.

23. A bowling alley installation in accordance with claim 21 and whereinsaid upwardly curving track means, said ball opposing means, and saidball controlling device coact to define a generally S-shaped pathinterconnecting said return runway and said infeed track.

, References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS974,400 Lee Nov. 1, 1910 1,160,018 Vearing Nov. 9, 1915 1,431,695Severence Oct. 10, 1922 2,306,955 Karbusky Dec. 29, 1942 2,505,932Anderson May 2, 1950 2,796,261 Turner June 18, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,015,489 January 2, 1962Hareld A. Jones et a1,

corrected below.

Celumn 9, line 53, strike out "with a forward movement only",

Signed and sealed this 19th day of February 1963.

(SEAL) Attest:

ESTON G. JOHNSON Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents

